Naruto Uzumaki is the beloved protagonist of the Naruto series, and one of the most popular anime characters of all time. Naruto is the epitome of a hard worker, revolutionary, and talented ninja who overcame all of his obstacles in order to become an exceptional ninja. Naruto used his perseverance to achieve what many ninjas couldn't establish themselves, and that was true peace.

He made many friends along the way, converting previous enemies as such. Naruto even convinced Sasuke to turn back from his path to destroying the Leaf Village, even though many of his friends found this impossible to accomplish. Simply put, Naruto achieved every one of his goals he set forth when he was a child. He rescued Sasuke, he ended the Fourth Great Ninja War, he became a ninja whom everyone admired and respected, and he even became the 7th Hokage.

This is mainly the fact why so many people are taken by Naruto's character and personality. He has become a mascot of anime in general, along with Goku, Luffy, and Gon. In addition, Naruto excelled from being the weakest of his generation into becoming a direct reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths. Naruto is the strongest shinobi in existence, and the most powerful ninja to ever live. This speaks volumes about who is his, especially considering his tragic childhood.

Still, even for die-hard Naruto fans, some things slip by unnoticed. In fact, there are many things that you probably don't know about Naruto. Go ahead and read on, so you can quiz your friends later. Here are 15 shocking facts that you didn't know about Naruto.

15 A Fishy Origin

via: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwjKibLTnvvWAhWqrVQKHfTJA24QjxwIAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F94434923407456093%2F&psig=AOvVaw0Bd9F71nRQy4ojBlSp2nHK&ust=1508452776971092

Naruto's name is actually derived from a type of fish cake, known as Narutomaki, a play on words for Naruto's original name, Naruto Uzumaki. In any case, narutomaki is a popular food item made from cured surimi. The food complements a variety of foods, and it also is a topping in Japanese ramen, Naruto's favorite food.

It's refreshing to know that Naruto's name is just as wacky as he is. Who knew that someone could transform a food item into a common household name that is known throughout the world as the savior of the ninja world? It doesn't get any better than this, folks.

14 Very Different From His Father

via: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwiKqI75nvvWAhVpzlQKHVYmDI0QjxwIAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnaruto.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AMinato_%2526_Naruto.PNG&psig=AOvVaw3BFWUvOU4tUMPgfzoLF--8&ust=1508452833981524

Of course, Naruto is the son of Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, who is affectionately known as the Yellow Flash. Naruto is sort of the odd one out in a comparison to his father. To begin, Minato was a genius. He was a natural master of ninjutsu, and he even perfected Tobiram's Space Time jutsu into his own signature move. Minato was also calm, down to earth, and a rationally intelligent individual. From those that have watched just an episode of Naruto, you would automatically know that Naruto has none of these qualities.

While Naruto does look like Minato, he doesn't necessarily resemble him. He's loud, childish, and a slow-learner. Even Jiraiya and Kakashi had an initial doubt that Naruto was the son of Minato, mainly because Naruto shares none of Minato's defining qualities.

13 He's Never Done One Of These??

via: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwj9v7GYn_vWAhWqsFQKHWAbD0YQjxwIAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DQzO8-ys6YNU&psig=AOvVaw0Aa5VuR9-vnyOdOP8OMAHI&ust=1508452921195903

It's hard to believe that Naruto, the savior of the Hidden Leaf Village, has never completed an S-rank mission. Let's go back and analyze some of Naruto's most dangerous missions, shall we? First, he attempted to rescue Sasuke from the clutches of the Sound Four, he went on a mission to defeat Deidara (S-Class criminal), he single-handedly defeated Kakuzu, and he defeated Pain.

Naruto has definitely been through a lot, earning the respect of his fellow villagers. However, Naruto has never actually engaged in an S-rank mission. The circumstances for the former missions were either urgent or coincidental. Therefore, technically, the greatest  ninja of all time was never assigned an S-rank mission, go figure!

12 Not A True Jōnin

via: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwjjppWzn_vWAhVhyFQKHdCLBzsQjxwIAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DDQu285OEB6Y&psig=AOvVaw3Vu3wxtaAijHr4MaU6rfkC&ust=1508452977242515

At the conclusion of the Fourth Great Ninja War, it was widely assumed that Naruto would be Hokage shortly after. This was debunked when Kakashi adorned the Hokage cape, instead of the young savior. Kakashi still used his time as Hokage to teach Naruto on how to properly become a ninja. Shikamaru and himself put Naruto through rigorous tests on becoming a Jōnin, yet Naruto didn't really become one.

Technically, Naruto was still a genin. His win against Neji technically didn't count, mainly since Orochimaru interrupted the Chunin Exams. Also, Jōnin are usually elite ninja that take on students of their own. Naruto never did. In fact, Naruto was probably only promoted to Jōnin so that he could become a Hokage a few months after. Oh, wait. He did.

11 He Was The Smallest Of The Bunch...

via: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwiBgKfRn_vWAhXoj1QKHQ4qAH0QjxwIAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdailyanimeart.com%2F2012%2F04%2F05%2Fteam-7-formed-meeting-naruto-shippuden-257%2F&psig=AOvVaw2FR7tCIEaQleY_nTFRPnNs&ust=1508453031524075

In the beginning of the series, Naruto was the shortest of the bunch. It was amazing to see such a short guy with as much spunk and attitude as Naruto. Of course, the little guy always has a chip on their shoulder. This made it more entertaining to see Naruto take down the biggest opponents in his own special way.

Naruto remained the shortest of the Konoha 11 until Naruto Shippuden. Although his height was lacking, Naruto got the respect he deserved from his friends who knew not to ever doubt Naruto when he was needed most. The little guy always saves the day. Remember that.

10 ...Until He Grew

via: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwjX8Of1n_vWAhXqsFQKHfZQBTQQjxwIAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomicvine.gamespot.com%2Fforums%2Fbattles-7%2Fnaruto-and-sasuke-teen-vs-naruto-and-sasuke-adults-1862397%2F&psig=AOvVaw2oKJoH8nDtb5RCkIra1x_R&ust=1508453092591512

In the beginning of Naruto Shippuden, all of the Konoha 11 sported new outfits and got stronger over the three year gap. That included Naruto, who appeared to just be wearing his old uniform that he apparently outgrew. Not only did Naruto get stronger during the entire sequel, even surpassing Sasuke, Naruto also got taller.

In fact, Naruto became the tallest member of the Konoha 11, even though he is one of the youngest. Not the little guy anymore, Naruto still has the attitude of one. He certainly still acts like he has something to prove, and that's a good thing.

9 A Little Inspiration

via: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwjh3s2xoPvWAhXjs1QKHcVDBJQQjxwIAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthenerdstash.com%2Fnaruto-creator-sends-fans-video-message%2F&psig=AOvVaw16lMAhoQYHQkW7qHGHOv3C&ust=1508453175768418

Many anime fans are very fond of Naruto. All the credit goes to the creator of this brilliant anime series for developing Naruto's genial personality. Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of the Naruto series, stated in an interview that he modeled Naruto after himself, especially in his Academy days. This means a few things. Normally, authors always pull from their own experiences and place them in their work.

This also means that Kishimoto may have had a distraught childhood just like Naruto. It's not entirely unbelievable, but if so, he certainly is doing great now. While it is great to know that Naruto wasn't just created without a real motive, one can wonder if Kishimoto has the makings of a Hokage himself.

8 Nobody Needs This Many Clones

via: naruto.wikia.com

According to Otaku Kart, Kishimoto almost made the mistake of giving Naruto an unlimited number of clones when he first learned Shadow Clone jutsu. Of course, he later realized that this would have been absurd, especially since Naruto just learned the jutsu. However, imagine how strong Naruto would have been if this would have happened. Naruto would have been a beast.

Writers often make mistakes writing a largely continuous series, like Naruto. Still, it's good that Kishimoto deferred from this idea and make Naruto earn the usage of his clones. This definitely helped him out in the long run, as Naruto made the technique his signature jutsu.

7 It Takes A Little Patience, Takes A Little Time

via: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwj6wcX7oPvWAhVG2IMKHX6-Cv0QjxwIAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Djhu2dp20l0s&psig=AOvVaw3zAXOj67zJbnWmRJ0uHGTi&ust=1508453399652338

The Rasengan is a chakra-based technique developed by Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage. After teaching it to Jiraiya, the Sannin made it his signature move. Much later in time, Naruto came along and after watching Jiraiya use the incredible skill, he vowed to learn it himself. Of course, Jiraiya taught it to him, and it took him about a few weeks to learn it.

Naruto finally used it against Kabuto and defeated him. Still, Naruto often used the Rasengan with the help of his shadow clones because he had difficulty controlling his chakra. It wasn't until Naruto Shippuden that Naruto was able to master the Rasengan and transform the jutsu into new shapes and sizes. He truly made his dad's move his, using the Rasengan better than Minato and Jiraiya ever did.

6 The Last Of His Kind

via: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwirhtKfofvWAhVp7oMKHVaZCwkQjxwIAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnaruto.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AGaara_saves_Naruto.png&psig=AOvVaw1IF0n7pRNj_gBDdx_tF416&ust=1508453458169467

One little known fact about Naruto is that he is the only living Jinchuuriki that is a Hokage as well. The other three that were in the same company were none other than Gaara, Minato, and Yagura. While Minato and Yagura died many years ago, Gaara's tailed beast was extracted from him by the Akatsuki. Therefore, he doesn't make the cut.

Naruto's position as a Jinchuuriki Hokage is very special, mainly because Jinchuuriki were almost always treated as outcasts and tools for war. Naruto's status as Hokage has positioned high enough to change this stigma. As such, the tailed beasts are held in high contempt on the general population in Naruto, mainly because they all believed in Naruto.

5 Taking A Loss

via: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwig6I2-ofvWAhUj2oMKHanRDkMQjxwIAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DvJie0alAZmk&psig=AOvVaw3dsHv4aCHSPbctn6pWDm4C&ust=1508453538745835

As everyone might recall, Naruto participated in the Chunin Exams held by the Leaf Village. He passed the Forest of Death and defeated both Kiba and Neji to obtain victory. However, the tournament was interrupted by Orochimaru, who went on to destroy the Leaf Village and kill the Third Hokage. Seemingly after that, the exams was probably thrown out.

All of the Konoha 11 eventually became Chunin when Naruto left to train with Jiraiya anyway. This left Naruto with a goal of finally becoming a Chunin. He participated in the Chunin Exams again, this time in the Sand Village. His opponent was Konohamaru, Naruto's budding disciple. Even though Konohamaru was no match for Naruto, he won when Naruto broke the rules by using senjutsu. It's truly a shame that even Konohamaru became a Chunin before Naruto.

4 This Graduation Doesn't Make Sense

via: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwi20_XYofvWAhUp9IMKHQr7Aa4QjxwIAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnaruto.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FTraditional_Shinobi_Sparring&psig=AOvVaw23c0uOZfjxib9zOiRbm86n&ust=1508453592608914

Naruto was a late bloomer. He was a failure in all aspects of ninja combat. He even failed the Academy exam three years in a row. Yet, he still graduated with the Konoha 11, who were all mostly older than him. If this was truly the case, Naruto would have been older than his whole graduating class. But, he's not. This doesn't make sense.

We all know that Naruto failed the Academy a few times. However, the whole Konoha 11 must have failed with him in order to graduate with him. The whole system may be broken, or it just may be one of those famous plot holes that Kishimoto wrote as he rushed through the story.

3 An Unconventional First Meeting

via: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwj2hMf0ofvWAhVK5YMKHSOCDwoQjxwIAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnaruto.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AMikoto_introduce_Sasuke.png&psig=AOvVaw3Wk4lcBZKCXnuRXlBzAFVz&ust=1508453652450531

Naruto and Sasuke actually did have a bond. It wasn't just some nonsense Naruto kept spouting through the entire series. Naruto and Sasuke were direct reincarnations of Asura and Indra, the sons of the Sage of Six Paths. They had a profound connection before they were even conceived. Yet, they did meet prior to the beginning of the series. When Kushina was pregnant with Naruto, she met Mikoto Uchiha, the mother of Sasuke.

Sasuke was already an infant while Kushina was pregnant. Practically, both Naruto and Sasuke got a nice glimpse of Naruto in Kushina's stomach. Both of them probably didn't realize that they would one day save the world together, and neither did their mothers.

2 Not Even Death Can Stop Him

via: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwj8-camovvWAhVK9IMKHeseBLQQjxwIAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DG8N7BjUDlTU&psig=AOvVaw04qrx6wTYLJNxM9tMM4JKH&ust=1508453758724816

Granted, Naruto did technically die when Madara took the Nine Tailed Fox from his body, but he was saved by the Sage of Six Paths. Naruto actually died in his fight versus Kabuto. When Naruto used the Rasengan against Kabuto, he cleverly severed the chakra network around his heart. There was no guts or glory in this charade. Naruto died at that moment. His heart instantly stopped and Tsunade knew it.

It took the world's greatest medical ninja to heal Naruto and bring him back to life. We literally saw Naruto go down for the count. Normally, Naruto would defy all odds and get up, but this time he didn't. He was dead for a minute, and came back from the death shortly after.

1 They Never Stood A Chance Together

via: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwiFvJK_ovvWAhUm7oMKHbTqCv0QjxwIAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnaruto.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FFile%3ANaruto_saves_Sakura.png&psig=AOvVaw2ZlxRv2FbQS2DcTy_9Zfb4&ust=1508453810642231

From the beginning, many fans expected Naruto to get with Sakura. It was heavily implied. Naruto fell in love with Sakura in the beginning of the series. Sakura even started to care for Naruto more in Shippuden. Both of them seem destined to be together, especially since Hinata was initially killed off by Pain. Sakura even told Naruto she loved him in order for him to give up on chasing Sasuke.

Still, Kishimoto stated that he had no intention of pairing the two. He actually planned for Hinata and Naruto to marry each other since the beginning. Ouch, Sakura! At least she got with Sasuke like she always wanted. That's something, right?